Episode 1

My name is Elisa. I have a quiet life, but the only bad luck I had was being born into a mafia family. My parents were great people, always helping those in need. However, their flaw was getting involved with this exhausting life. Something bad always happens to those who choose such a complicated path.

When I was only 10 years old, I lost my father. He was in a chase with other mobsters and ended up losing his life in a car accident. Fortunately, my mother was not with him that day. Not that I was happy about my father's death, but it would have been more painful if I had lost both of them.

My older brother took over the mafia, continuing what our father started. With his daring and intelligence, he sought out those who caused our father's death, and justice was served. I've never been in favor of violence, but this death could not have gone unpunished.

Plans I made, dreams I dreamed for myself. All of this was lost the moment the scoundrel who has the same blood as me dared to sell me.

It was at that moment that I discovered that my life would become hell, for I was promised to Don Montanari, of the Italian mafia. My brother saw fit to sell me to him, as if I were a piece of meat or any other priced thing.

When our mother found out, she was desperate. While hugging me, she fought with him and said to his face that Dad would never have done such a thing to our family. I hugged my mother tightly, as if that embrace were a farewell.

When Matheus told me, in front of my mother, the reason why he sold me, I simply slapped him in the face. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I put my hands on my chest, feeling my heart pounding.

Matheus had the courage to approach me and ask for forgiveness for what he had done. As he held my face in his hands, he said he did it all to save the empire Dad built.

I pulled away from Matheus's touch as I cursed him with every name I could think of. The anger I felt at that moment was inexplicable. I wiped away the tears that were falling. It was painful to see that my brother preferred the damned empire over me, his own sister.

Mom stepped in front of me and asked Matheus why he did this to our family. There were so many other ways to resolve things.

"Why didn't you take out a loan?"

"No, Mom," Matheus let out a frustrated breath. "The bank denied the amount because my name is dirty."

"And you chose to ask our enemy for help? Really?" I said, already tired of it all.

"Let's stop with the drama, Elisa, it's done. Okay? Did I screw up? I did! But this empire that's almost falling apart is what supports my mother and has supported you until now. You should be grateful that I have..."

"Grateful for what, Matheus? Huh? For selling me? Tell me, you son of a bitch. You want to know? I hate you, and you don't know how disappointed I am in you. Dad always said that you would be the businessman and that you would continue the beautiful work he started. And what a fine job, and fine businessman you have become," I said disdainfully. "Just tell me one thing, Matheus, why did you decide to tell me this now? Go on, tell me, I want to know," I challenged, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Because Montanari called me and said he wanted you immediately," he said calmly.

"Like hell I'm going with that devil, you hear me, Matheus? Go to hell, both of you, with that damn money and your shitty empire. I'm leaving this house, right now" I walked out of there to my room, hearing my mother's voice, who was now arguing with Matheus and at the same time calling out to me.

I grabbed a suitcase from the top of the wardrobe and put my clothes inside. I took a shower, got dressed and then went out. When I got to the living room, no one was there anymore. I believe Mom went to bed, and Matheus had gone to hell where he belongs.

I walked to the front door, pulling my suitcase, and just as I was about to leave, one of the security guards stepped in front of me.

"Where do you think you're going, miss?"

"None of your business. Now get out of my way, or I'll hit you with this suitcase," I said through gritted teeth.

"Mr. Ferrari gave orders not to let you leave, miss."

"You don't say!?" I glared at him.

"Jason, leave her to me," Matheus ordered.

"Yes, sir."

"What's this charade all about? Can you explain this to me?" I asked.

"I can. You're not going anywhere; you're only leaving here with Don Montanari, period."

"Go to hell" I grabbed my suitcase and continued walking out of there.

I was stopped by all my brother's guard dogs, and on top of that with several guns pointed at me. I gave a slight smile, simply not believing what was happening right there before my eyes.

"I think you'd better be alive and marry Don Montanari than die," Matheus said.

"I'd rather be killed than marry that wretch and have to look at your face."

"Don't be dramatic, sis. Come on. Tomorrow you'll be calmer, I'm sure" Matheus pulled me back inside the house, walked me to my room, and without warning, slapped me across the face.

"Why did you hit me?" I asked, my face burning and my throat sore from the lump of rage forming there.

"Because you sound like a spoiled child, Elisa. And because I don't want you defying me in front of my soldiers. Have some respect for me, I'm the Don of this whole damn thing."

"A fucking Don, who had to sell his sister to pay off his goddamn debts. What kind of Don is that? Admit it, even you know, you're the reason the business is going under," I said, anger consuming me.

I glared at him with even more hatred as I watched Matheus walk out of the room and lock the door. I ran to the door and pounded on it for him to open it, but the jerk didn't.

I laid down on my bed and cried. I don't know how long I stayed like that because I fell asleep soon after.

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